Farm Credit Services of America Supports Farmers through Investment in CSIF

01-14-2016 in News Release

DES MOINES, Iowa – January 14, 2016  – Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica), a company dedicated to serving the agricultural credit and financial needs of farmers and ranchers, reaffirmed its support of Iowa agriculture through an investment in the non-profit Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF).

The financial commitment made by FCSAmerica will assist CSIF in its ongoing efforts to provide direct assistance to livestock farmers as they strive to grow their farms successfully and responsibly.

“FCSAmerica is proud to renew our support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa, contributing $1 out of every $3 to Iowa’s economy and helping 1 in 5 Iowans go to work. So it’s important not only for our organization, but for all of Iowa to support this industry, and one of the best ways to do that is through livestock,” says Jim Knuth, senior vice president for Farm Credit Services of America.

“We’re extremely grateful for FCSAmerica’s contribution to the Coalition and deeply appreciative of their continued support of Iowa agriculture,” says Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF. “With the increasingly complex and costly regulations covering animal agriculture, farmers can use some assistance and the Coalition provides it directly to the families that need it most. FCSAmerica’s investment underscores the value of our efforts.”

A portion of the FCSAmerica investment will be used to support the Coalition’s popular Green Farmstead Partner program; it offers timely and cost-effective assistance to Iowa farmers wanting to plant trees and shrubs around new and existing livestock and poultry buildings.

“Livestock continues to be vital to keeping farm families living and working on the land,” says Waddingham. “In the eleven years since the Coalition was formed, we’ve assisted more than 3,300 farm families wanting to responsibly grow their farms and bring young people back to rural Iowa. Diversification is a key component to Iowa’s thriving livestock industry, from established livestock farmers to crop farmers adding livestock for the first time. Calls to the Coalition for assistance are at an all-time high today – up sixty percent from 2009. Whether it’s a new and beginning farmer or an existing and well-established farmer calling us, there is a great deal of optimism about adding livestock to the farm.”

CSIF was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock successfully and responsibly. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

The non-profit, non-partisan organization provides assistance to farmers at no cost. CSIF does not lobby or develop policy. Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436 or visit www.supportfarmers.com.

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